Member Article

Work nears completion on two flagship housing schemes in Sunderland worth £16 million

One of the country’s leading housing developers is working together with Sunderland City Council to meet its demand for older people’s housing, as two major developments in the city near completion.

Keepmoat is set to finish building a further two extra care housing schemes in the city this summer, to add to the three extra care housing schemes it has built in Sunderland in the last six years.

The £16 million flagship development demonstrates a strong and successful partnership between Keepmoat, Housing & Care 21 and Sunderland City Council. When completed, Dovecote Meadow will provide 175 self-contained one and two bedroom apartments, including 17 designed specifically for people suffering with Dementia. Onsite facilities include a restaurant, hairdressing salon, care shop, wellbeing suite and convenience store.

Extra care housing provides a choice of well-designed accommodation for people aged 55 and over who are looking to downsize or have a care need, it’s a real and modern alternative to residential care.

To make sure that this choice is available in Sunderland, Keepmoat has been working with the City Council and other partners to support delivery of extra care housing for rent, shared ownership and sale.

Residents have already moved into the first phase of Dovecote Meadow in Ford Estate and the apartments in the second phase of this successful development are already being snapped up. Applications to rent or purchase the two-bedroom apartments are currently being accepted.

In Hendon, the finishing touches are being made at the historic Grade II Listed building at The Old Orphanage. The renovation work undertaken to this historical landmark has transformed the building with an extra care scheme, providing 38 one and two bedroom apartments for rent specialising in dementia care, has been developed in the grounds. Communal facilities including hair salon, wellbeing suite, café, exercise room, activity room and landscaped gardens will also be available.

Keepmoat is developing the £4.5 million scheme, in partnership with the City Council and Inclusion Housing. It is due to complete in August 2014 and applications are being accepted.

Councillor Graeme Miller, Sunderland City Council Portfolio Holder for Health Housing and Adult Services, said “The city’s extra care housing programme is forging ahead and this has only been made possible due to effective partnership working with developers such as Keepmoat.

“At the end of 2014 Sunderland will have a total of seven extra care schemes with a further three schemes in development. The accommodation is modern and attractive with a mix of tenures to meet the requirements of different households.

“The success of the extra care programme is completely due to the effective partnerships and a mutual commitment to improve the choice of housing available to meet the needs and aspirations of older households who choose to live in Sunderland.”

Dave Ward, Regional Managing Director for Keepmoat, said: “We are delighted to be involved in the development of two fantastic schemes in Sunderland that are helping to fulfil one of the City Council’s strategic housing priorities. “Keepmoat is the largest builder of extra care schemes in Britain and we have a strong track record in providing housing support for older and vulnerable people.

“These two flagship schemes in Sunderland demonstrate how effectively we work in partnership with the local authority and registered housing providers to build these much needed developments. We intend to continue to actively seek opportunities for more development to support the City Council’s Strategic housing need.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Becki Ord .